Means for and method of detachably mounting sash guiding weatherstrips in window frames



Oct. 16, 1962 E. A. ZEGERS 3,058,176

MEANS FOR AND METHOD OF DETACI-IABLY MOUNTING SASH GUIDING WEATHERSTRIPS IN WINDOW FRAMES Filed April 15, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 14 1NVENTOR.'-

EDWARD A. ZEGERS K 617%. ATT'YS 1962 E. A. ZEGERS 3,058,176

MEANS FOR AND METHOD OF DETACHABLY MOUNTING SASH GUIDING WEATHERSTRIPS IN WINDOW FRAMES Filed April 15, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.-

EDWARD A. ZEGERS B ATT'YS 3,058,176 MEANS FOR AND METHOD OF DETAEHABLY MOUNTING SASlrll GUKDING WEATHERSTS IN WINDOW FRAMES Edward A. Zegers, 2620 Gordon Drive, Flossmoor, Ell. Filed Apr. 15, 1959,Ser.N0. 806,596 7 Claims. (1. 2()-52.4)

The present invention relates in general to window guiding Weatherstrip, and has more particular reference to the detachable mounting of sash guiding weatherstrip in window frames, especially strips formed for the accommodation of vertically movable double hung windows. The invention, however, is not necessarily restricted to the mounting of vertically movable doublehung window sash and associated Weatherstrip, but, in its broader aspects, may indeed be applied in any window structure embodying a sash and associated formed metal Weatherstrip, regardless of the direction of movement of the sash in its frame.

As shown, for example, in US. Letters Patent No. 2,775,795, of January 1, 1957, on the invention of Daniel -M. Hettinger, in Combination Weather-Strip and Sash Guide for Double Hung Windows, it has recently become conventional to mount channeled sheet metal weatherstrips at and along the opposite side jambs of conventional window frames, between the bottom sill and head or top jamb thereof, to thereby define sash receiving and guiding channels along the jambs. Such Weatherstrip may serve to seal the space between the side jambs of the frame and the adjacent edges of frame mounted sash, through the inherent resilience of the constituent metal of the strips. Such strips may also serve to guide sash movement longitudinally of the strips, and to provide support, anchorage and housing for sash counterbalancing springs mounted within enclosures forming integral portions of the Weatherstrip. It has heretofore been oustomary to fasten Weatherstrip of the character mentioned in position in the window frame by means of nails, tacks or screws, thereby rendering difficult the removal of sash for repair or replacement, it being ordinarily necessary to remove the Weatherstrip from mounted position along with the sash in dismounting the same from the frame.

An important object of the present invention is to provide inexpensive clips for securing window sash Weatherstrip in readily detachable fashion in a window frame, whereby a sash and associated Weatherstrip may be quickly and easily mounted in and removed from the frame as a unit merely by engaging and disengaging the Weatherstrip with and from frame mounted clips; a further object being to provide a Weatherstrip mounting clip adapted to be secured on a Window frame in position permitting Weatherstrip to be detachably mounted in and removed from the window frame without using nails, tacks, screws or like positive fastening devices to secure the Weatherstrip directly to the frame.

Another important object of the invention is to provide clips for securing window sash Weatherstrip of the character mentioned in window frames, the clips themselves being anchored in a parting stop groove or dado I of the sort conventionally provided in double hung sash window frames and thereby held in Weatherstrip mounting position without requiring the use of nails, screws,

" or other fastening means for securing the mounting clips in the window frame.

A still further object of the invention resides in the method of mounting Weatherstrip of the character mentioned in window frames by securing clips thereon and then detachably engaging the Weatherstrip in the clips;

a further object being to provide a Weatherstrip mounting clip of overall length equal to the Width of the Weatherstrip to be mounted, and having Weatherstrip engaging portions at the opposite ends of the clip in position to overlappingly engage clip engaging lips at the side edges of a Weatherstrip to be mounted, said weatherstrip engaging clip portions when the clip is employed to mount a Weatherstrip of the sort having side edge flanges, being sized to extend through openings formed in the side edge flanges of the Weatherstrip at a distance from an end thereof equal to the length of the clip, whereby the clip itself may be used as a measuring device for determining the position on the side jamb of a window frame, spaced from the sill or the head jamb a distance equal to the over-all length of the clip, at which it should be mounted in order to register with the hook receiving openings formed in the side edge flanges of the Weatherstrip to be mounted.

The foregoing and numerous other important objects, advantages, and inherent functions of the invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view of a double hung sash window;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are enlarged sectional views taken substantially along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1 and showing different forms of conventional Weatherstripping for double hung sash windows mounted in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a Weatherstrip mounting clip embodying the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an edge view of the clip shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the clip shown in FIGS. 5 and 6; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing in perspective a portion of a Window frame, a mounting clip embodying the present invention, and a Weatherstrip of the sort shown in FIG. 3, in order to illustrate the manner in which the same may be assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

To illustrate the invention the drawings show a window structure 11 embodying the present invention, the window structure being shown in mounted position in a window opening formed in a building wall 12, the Window structure comprising a conventional rectangular frame embodying opposed side jambs 13, a sill 14, and a top or head jarnb 15. Upper and lower sashes 16 and 17 are mounted in the window frame, between the spaced facing side jambs 13, for vertical window opening and closing movement between the head jamb 15 and the sill 14, the top of the upper sash and thebottom of the lower sash respectively engaging the head jamb and sill when the sashes are in window closing position. The upper and lower sashes may respectively comprise spaced side rails 18, 18, top rails 19, 19, and lower rails 20, 20, forming frames for supporting each a corresponding window pane 21, 21, the side rails 18, 18' of the sashes being supported for vertical movement in channeled weatherstrips 22 secured upon the side jambs 13 of the window frame in position to interfittingly receive and support the side rails of the sashes.

The Weatherstripping 22 may be formed of relatively thin, springy sheet material, such as aluminum of suitable gauge. The Weatherstripping may be formed medially and longitudinally with a channel providing a hollow rib or flute 23 adapted to serve as a parting stop against which the facing sides of the sash rails 18 and 18 may slidingly engage. The weatherstrips, on opposite sides of the rib 23, may be formed to provide longitudinally extending housings 24 adapted to receive and enclose counterbalancing springs 25 of conventional character, and also to aid in weathersealing the side rails of the sashes and to guide the movement thereof in the window frame. To this end, the side rails of the sashes may be formed with longitudinal grooves 26 to slidingly receive the housings 2.4. The Weatherstripping also may be formed with longitudinal beads or ribs 27 disposed therein on opposite sides of the housings 24, in position to resiliently bear against the outwardly facing surfaces of the side rails 18, 18' of the sashes in order to aid in the weathersealing effect and to promote free sliding sash action in the Weatherstrip.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the spring housings 24 may each comprise spaced side walls embodying integral rebent portions of the weatherstrip forming mutually facing, concave flanges 28 through out the entire length of the strip and defining a channel 29 therebetween, the upper portions of the channels 29 being closed to form the housings 24 by means of channel-shaped cover strips 30 extending between and secured to the flanges 28 in any suitable manner, as by spot welding the strips 30 to the flanges 28. The opposite side edges of the strip shown in FIG. 2 may be rebent to form a strip rigidifying bead 31 along each of the opposite side edges of the Weatherstrip.

The opposite side edges of the weather strip shown more particularly in FIG. 3 may be formed with inwardly turned flanges 32, the terminal edges of which may be rebent to form strip rigidifying beads 31; while the balance spring housings 24 comprise channel-shaped elements 30' formed with mutually outwardly extending flanges 33, 33, which may be spot welded or otherwise secured to the Weatherstrip, as by means of rivets 34, preferably applied through the Weatherstrip at the ribs 27, the flanges 33 and 33 being correspondingly ribbed to interfit with the ribbed portions 27 of the Weatherstrip, if desired.

The window structure may, of course, include conventional blind or back stop members 35 along the outer edges of the side jambs 13 to provide outer stops for the upper sash 16, and the usual stop member 36 may be provided across the top of the window frame along the outer edge of the head jamb to form a back stop for the top rail 19 of the upper sash member. Likewise, on the inner side of the window structure, top and side stop strips 37 and 38 may be provided, and a stool strip 39 may be secured on the sill 14 at the bottom of the window structure.

The rib forming portions 23, of course, replace the conventional wooden parting strip which is usually secured in the parting strip groove 40 conventionally provided in the side jambs 13 of window frames. This parting strip groove 40 is commonly referred to as a dado. It has heretofore been the custom to assemble Weatherstripping upon the side edges of sash and to then apply the sash with mounted weather stripping as a unit into the window frame. The Weatherstripping may then be secured in mounted position in the frame by nailing, screwing or otherwise fastening the same to the Window frame, after which the top and side stop strips 37 and 38 may be nailed or otherwise secured in place. In the event that it should become necessary to remove the sash from the frame, the nails or other Weatherstrip anchoring devices, after detachment of the top and side stop strips 37 and 38, must first be removed in order to free the Weatherstripping from the window frame, the same being a time consuming operation which moreover frequently results in damage to the window frame as well as to the Weatherstripping, including the spring housing portions thereof.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a simple, inexpensive Weatherstrip mounting arrangement is provided in the form of clips 41 adapted to be instantly mounted in strip receiving position upon the Weatherstrip carrying members merely by pressing the clips into position and without requiring the use of tacks, nails, staples or other clip mounting elements, the clip being formed to frictionally engage in the conventional dado 40 of the window frame, in order thus to anchor itself in mounted position. Each clip 41 may comprise a strip of resilient sheet metal having a rebent or offset flange 42 forming a hook or lug at each of the opposite ends of the strip, the strip preferably having over-all length between its opposite ends substantially equal to the distance which normally prevails between the inwardly facing surfaces of the back and front stop strips and 38 of a standard window structure, such distance being of the order of three and one-quarter inches. Suitable anchoring means 43 may be formed and disposed on the clip medially between its opposite ends in position to extend within the dado of the window frame, to thereby anchor the clip in place thereon.

Any suitable or preferred anchoring means may thus be formed on the clip for the purpose of detachably securing it in the dado 40. To this end, anchoring arms may be pressed outwardly of the body of the strip in position to extend into and frictionally or bitingly engage the sides or bottom of the dado. The clip, however, may conveniently be and preferably is formed with medial bent portions providing a transverse channel therein, including a preferably rectangular clip portion 44 forming the bottom of the channel, a pair of preferably rectangular clip portions 45 forming the opposite sides of the channel, said portions 45 being integral with the portion 44 and being bent therefrom at the opposite side edges thereof in position extending substantially normal with respect to the portion 44. Each clip preferably has oppositely extending end portions 46 integral with and projecting substantially normal to and at the edges of the portions 45 remote from the portion 44, the channel remote ends of said end portions carrying the hook forming rebent flanges 42.

In order to assure snug frictional engagement of the channel portions 44 and 45 of the clip in dado grooves 49 of widths varying within manufacturing limits, it is desirable that the clip portions 45 be inclined mutually outwardly at angles of the order of five degrees, as illustrated more particularly in FIG. 6 of the drawings. It is also desirable that the outer ends of the oppositely extending clip portions 46 be bent rearwardly at an angle of the order of 2-10 degrees with respect to the inner portions thereof along bend lines 47, in order to assure resiliently pressed engagement of the outer ends of the clips against the clip mounting surface of the side jambs 13 when the clip is in mounted position with the channel forming portions 44 and 45 in position extending within the dado groove 40 of the window frame. While the clips are adapted to hold themselves in mounted position through frictional engagement of the channel forming portions 44 and 45 thereof in the dado groove 40, it is desirable to form the clip portions 45 with outwardly pressed tines 48 therein adjacent the junction of the clip portions 45 with the portion 44, said tines being inclined in a direction to bite into the opposite sides of the dado groove 40 to thereby resist movement of the channel forming portions of a mounted strip in a direction outwardly of the groove. As a consequence, after the strip has been applied to a side jamb 13, it will be frictionally held in place thereon merely by action of the resilient .channel forming portions 45 and by biting engagement of the tines 48 with the sides of the groove 40.

In order to mount Weatherstrip and window sash, it is merely necessary to apply a pair of clips 41 upon each of the side jambs of the frame, the clips of each pair being applied respectively near the top and bottom of the side jamb on which mounted, after which both sashes may be adjusted medially of the weatherstrips assembled thereon and then applied into the frame. The opposite sides of the weatherstrips are formed to provide clip engaging lips adapted to be overlappingly engaged with the hook forming flanges 42, it being merely necessary to slightly squeeze the weatherstrips in order to allow the opposite edges thereof to become hookingly engaged with the opposite ends of the mounting clips.

The medial clip portion 44 may be formed with a central, preferably circular opening 49 for the purpose of alining a blank clip forming strip in a forming die; and means may be provided for forming relatively larger, preferably circular openings 50 centrally in each of the oppositely extending clip portions 46.

In order to facilitate the mounting of Weatherstripping of the sort shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the Weatherstripping may be formed with hook receiving slots 51 therein at the junction of the side flanges 32 with the housing carrying portions of the Weatherstrip. These openings 51 are preferably located at a precisely selected distance from the end of the Weatherstrip, such distance being preferably equal to the over-all length of the clip 41, or a multiple of such length, so that the clip may be employed as a means for measuring the exact position at which it should be applied upon a side jamb in order to register with the clip engaging slots 51 of Weatherstrip of the sort shown in FIGS. 3 and 8. As a consequence, in mounting such Weatherstrip, the clip itself may be employed as a measuring rule along the dado groove 40 to determine a distance either from the head jamb or from the sill precisely equal to the length of the clip, or a convenient multiple thereof, so that the clip may thereupon be applied in mounted position on the side j amb at such measured distance from the head jamb or sill in precise position to register with the Weatherstrip slots 51.

Accordingly, upon applying the Weatherstrip mounted sashes into the window frame, after applying the mounting clips in accurately measured position, as aforesaid, the Weatherstrip may be attached to the clips merely by squeezing the same in order to interengage the hook forming flanges -42 of the clips with the opposite side edges of the Weatherstrip at the clip receiving slots 51.

In standardized window frames the dado groove 40 has width of the order of /2". The distance between the inner face of the blind stop 35 and the near side of the dado groove 40 is a dimension of the order of 1%", a like dimension ordinarily applying between the front stop strips 37 and 38 and the adjacent side of the dado groove 40. Due to manufacturing inaccuracies, the width of the groove 40 may vary by several thousandths of an inch, and the distance of the groove itself from the blind stop strip 35 may vary by as much as in either direction toward or away from the blind stop. Ordinarily, the inclination of the strip portions 45 will allow the strip adequately to accommodate usual manufacturing inaccuracies both in the width of the groove 40 and its distance from the blind stop strip 35. In order to accommodate gross inaccuracies, however, one end portion 46 of the strip, from its junction with the strip portion 45 to the outer end thereof, may be made slightly longer than the oppositely extending portion 46, said portions, to this end, preferably having length equal respectively to So dimensioned, the clip 41 may be assembled with one end against the blind stop 35 where the groove 40 is relatively close to the blind stop,

.but may be reversed in order to accommodate structures in which the groove 40 is abnormally remote from the blind stop.

If desired, the clips may be made with only one wing portion '46 extending on one side of the dado or slot engaging portions, the other wing portion being eliminated. Such one sided clips may be applied in the dado or clip mounting slot, with the single wing of the clip extending from the slot in the direction away from the blind stop strip 35. Sash with assembled Weatherstrip may then be applied into the frame over the mounting clips, to abut the rearward edges of the Weatherstripping against the back or blind stop strips 35. The Weatherstripping may then be transversely squeezed to engage the forward edge thereof with the hook at the outer end of the single wing portions of the mounting clip or clips, which thereafter will hold the Weatherstrip and associated sash in mounted position in the frame against the back stop strips 35.

Clips embodying present invention promote rapid installation of weatherstripped windows in their frames because no tools are required in applying the mounting clips 4-1. The invention further facilitates rapid removal and replacement of window sash since window weather strip may be instantly disconnected from the mounting clips by merely squeezing the same to release them from engage ment with the hooks of the mounting clips. Mounting clips are always accurately positioned on the frame because indexed in the dado or groove 40. 4

It will be seen also that the thickness of the clips at the ends thereof, where the hook forming flanges 42 join with the wing portions 46 outwardly of the bend line 47, insures adequate free moving clearance between the stop strips and the facing surfaces of the rails of the sash.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the forms herein disclosed being preferred embodiments for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. For use in a window structure having a frame embodying a jamb, including a backstop, and a clip forming a Weatherstrip mounting hook on the jamb, a Weatherstrip of resilient sheet metal adapted to extend along the in wardly facing side of said jamb, in front of said backstop, said Weatherstrip having a medial rib formed longitudinally thereof in position to project from the jamb, as a parting stop, and longitudinally extending jamb-overlying portions disposed on opposite sides of said rib, the rib remote edge of a said portion being formed to extend at and along said backstop in engagement therewith, the rib remote edge of the other of said portions being formed to extend on the side of said rib remote from said backstop, and being provided with an integral flange in position to project outwardly of the jamb in spaced parallel relation with respect to said rib, to form a sash receiving channel between said rib and said flange, said Weatherstrip being formed with a slot at the junction of said flange with said jamboverlying portion, in position to detachably receive the hook of a mounting clip secured on the jamb, whereby to secure the Weatherstrip demountably in the frame.

2. In a window structure having a frame embodyinga jamb member, a Weatherstrip of resilient sheet metal extending along the inwardly facing side of said member, a sash element having an edge slidingly engaged with said Weatherstrip, and an elongated strip of sheet material forming a clip mounted on said member, said clip having an anchoring portion secured on said jamb member, and a weather strip engaging hook formed on the strip in position spaced from the anchoring portion, the Weatherstrip being formed with a slot therein for the detachable reception of said hook to secure the Weatherstrip to the clip, said slot being formed at a distance from an end of the Weatherstrip equal to a linear dimension of the clip, so that the clip may be employed to determine the position on the jamb member at which it should be mounted to present its hook in position for engagement in said slot, when the Weatherstrip is applied in the frame and upon the member mounted clip.

3. For use in a window structure having a frame embodying a jamb, including a backstop, and a clip forming a Weatherstrip mounting hook on the jamb, a Weatherstrip of resilient sheet metal adapted to extend along the inwardly facing side of said jamb, in front of said backstop, said Weatherstrip having a medial rib formed longitudinally thereof in position to project from the jamb, as a parting stop, and longitudinally extending jamb-overlying portions disposed on opposite sides of said rib, the rib remote edge of a said portion being formed to extend at and along said backstop in engagement therewith, the rib remote edge of the other of said portions being formed to extend on the side of said rib remote from said backstop, said remote edges each being provided with an integral flange in position to project outwardly of the jamb in spaced parallel relation with respect to said rib, to form sash receiving channels between said rib and said flanges, said Weatherstrip being formed with a slot at the junction of each of said flanges with said jamb'overlying portion, said slots being each disposed in position to detachably receive the mounting hook of a cooperating mounting clip secured on the jamb, in registration with said slot, whereby to secure the Weatherstrip demountably in the frame.

4. The combination, With a Window structure having a frame embodying a jamb, of a Weatherstrip of resilient sheet metal extending along the inwardly facing side of said jamb, said Weatherstrip having a medial rib formed longitudinally thereof in position to project from the jamb, as a parting stop, and longitudinally extending jamb-overlying portions disposed on opposite sides of said rib, the rib remote edges of said portions being provided with integral flanges in position to project outwardly of the jamb in spaced parallel relation with respect to said rib to form sash receiving channels on opposite sides of said rib and between it and said flanges, said Weatherstrip being formed with transversely alined slots at the junction of said flanges with said jamb-overlying portions, and a mounting clip secured on the jamb and providing spaced apart hooks in position for detachable engagement in said slots, whereby to secure the Weatherstrip demountably in the frame.

5. In a window structure having a frame embodying a jamb formed with a longitudinal dado groove, a back stop extending along one side of the jamb and a sheet metal Weatherstrip overlying the inner face of the jamb and providing a clip engaging lip at a side of the Weatherstrip, and a clip for securing the Weatherstrip upon the jamb in position extending alongside of and abutting the back stop, said clip comprising an elongated strip of sheet metal having substantially greater length than width and bent to form a clip mounting portion embodying an open top channel having side Walls spaced for snug frictional interfitment in the dado groove, said strip being formed with outwardly pressed teeth at the sides of said channel for biting engagement in the facing surfaces of the dado groove, said strip having an end portion spaced from said mounting portion in position to overlappingly engage said lip of the Weatherstrip, to secure the Weatherstrip on the jamb.

6. In a window structure having a frame embodying a jamb formed with a longitudinal dado groove, a back stop extending along one side of the jamb and a sheet metal Weatherstrip overlying the inner face of the jamb and providing a clip engaging lip at a side of the Weatherstrip, and a clip for detachably securing the Weatherstrip upon the jamb in position extending alongside of and abutting the back stop, said clip comprising an elongated strip of sheet metal having substantially greater length than Width and bent to form an open top channel extending transversely across the strip and having a bottom and spaced side walls providing abutments for interfitting frictional engagement with the facing surfaces of the dado groove to mount the clip on the jamb, said strip being formed with outwardly pressed teeth, at the junction of the bottom wall with the side walls of the channel, for biting engagement in the facing surfaces of the dado groove, said strip having an end portion spaced from said channel in position to overlappingly engage said lip of the Weatherstrip to secure the Weatherstrip on the jamb.

7. In a window structure having a frame embodying a jamb formed with a longitudinal dado groove, a back stop extending along one side of the jamb and a transversely compressible Weatherstrip of resilient sheet metal overlying the inner face of the jamb, and a clip for detachably securing the Weatherstrip upon the jamb in position extending alongside of and abutting the back stop, said clip comprising an elongated strip of sheet metal having substantially greater length than width and bent to form a clip mounting portion embodying an open top channel in the strip medially between its opposite ends and extending transversely of the strip for snug frictional interfitment in the dado groove, the strip having a flat hook formed at each of its opposite ends, said hooks opening toward said channel in position to overlappingly receive hook engaging edges, at the opposite sides of the Weatherstrip, in response to transverse compression and release of the Weatherstrip, the hook at one end of the clip being spaced further from the channel than the hook at the opposite end in order to accommodate gross inaccuracies in the spacement of the dado groove from the back stop.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,833,766 Westerheim Nov. 24, 1931 2,275,955 Goellner Mar. 10, 1942 2,337,633 Beil Dec. 28, 1943 2,357,701 Taurman Sept. 5, 1944 2,595,419 Smith May 6, 1952 2,635,915 McKinney Apr. 21, 1953 2,722,723 Mears Nov. 8, 1955 2,823,071 Malpass Feb. 11, 1958 2,865,061 Kunkel Dec. 23, 1958 2,869,184 Zegers Jan. 20, 1959 Patent No, 3 058, 176 October 16, 1962 Edward A, Zegers It is hereby certified that err ent requiring correction and that th corrected below.

or appears in the above numbered pate said Letters Patent should read as Column 7 line 36, after "jamb" insert a comma; line 38, strike out "and"; column 8, line 1, after "jamb" insert a comma; line 8, strike out "and"; line 21, after "jamb" insert a comma; line 23, strike out "and".

Signed and sealed this 26th day of February 1963.

(SEAL) Attest:

ESTON Go JOHNSON Attesting Officer DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Patents 

